All you need to know about the Oundle Folk Weekend

Blazin' Fiddles are to grace the stage at The Queen Victoria Hall to get things under way on Friday November 14.

For over a quarter of a century, no other band has quite captured Scottish fiddle music’s variety, energy and sensitivity like Blazin’ Fiddles.

Atop many musical twists and turns, the group’s quicksilver playing is matched by lightning sharp humour and uproarious stories from their many tunes and travels, Whatever the hall - whether of the Royal Albert or highland village variety - they’ll turn it into the liveliest and warmest of hootenannies.

One of the most lauded and best-loved acts of the Scottish music scene, from the moment the multi award-winning Blazers take the stage to whisk you on a thrilling musical journey, you’re in the finest of company. The mastery of fiddle virtuosos, Jenna Reid (Shetland), Kristan Harvey (Orkney) and Rua Macmillan (Highlands), grounded by the second to none, driving accompaniment of Angus Lyon (piano) and Anna Massie (guitar), will leave you reeling. Tickets are £22.50 in advance and £25 on the door. Under 18's get in for a fiver…

Completing the weekend, Heidi Talbot, Boo Hewerdine & Friends take over the neighbouring Talbot Hotel on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Boo and Heidi had such a terrific time at their sold out show in Oundle last November that they asked if they might return again for a full weekend that they could bring along their friends and family to join in!

They will play over three sessions with one on Saturday evening and two on Sunday.

Some of the “friends” are friends of the Oundle Folk Club too, and they have played in the town prior in the shape of the utterly brilliant Kris Drever, the fabulous Polly Paulusma and local legend Chris Brown.

There are new friends appearing also – the brilliant Tamsin Elliott, Jill Jackson and Michele Stodart.

At the end of each session Boo and Heidi will be joined on stage with some or all of the others. Who knows what may happen in these parts of the show?

Ticket prices are being kept reasonable and affordable at £50 for a full weekend ticket. Under 25’s are encouraged to attend as they are the future of live music and tickets are only a fiver for the weekend. Day tickets are also available at £25 for Saturday and £35 for Sunday.

The full line up:

SATURDAY, November 15

BOO HEWERDINE & HEIDI with Friends (Headline)

For over 30 years Ivor Novello award winning Boo Hewerdine has been considered one of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters. As lead singer of seminal band, The Bible through to his subsequent solo work and long-time collaboration with the incredible Eddi Reader he has become something of a national treasure.

Heidi has shared the stage and recorded with Mark Knopfler, Graham Coxon (Blur), Eddi Reader, Idlewild, Matt Rollings, King Creosote, Kris Drever, Tim O'Brien and Jerry Douglas. She is equally at home in front of a Symphony Orchestra, performing widely at Arts Centres, Festivals and even at the White House.

On this special weekend with their Friends, Boo and Heidi will be singing songs new and old with a dash of humour and a good measure of storytelling.

KRIS DREVER

Kris Drever originally comes from Hrossey in the Orkney Islands. Over the years, he has taught himself to be a songwriter, guitarist and singer of note (and sometimes many notes).

As well as creating award-winning original songs and instrumental pieces with the trio Lau, he has had a fruitful solo career exploring the cracks between classic and modern songwriting and the traditional music that he comes from.

Drever’s sound is rooted in the earthy and hypnotic rhythms of much older music, but there’s a sophistication to both the lyricism and the instrumentalism which places him skilfully in the present.

POLLY PAULUSMA

Polly Paulusma returns to Oundle and a different venue to where she last played a Little Ember Session back in October 2022 and we are over the moon to be welcoming her back.

Polly recently played a stunning show of songs accompanied by Jon Thorne (Lamb, Yorkston Thorne Khan) on upright bass to celebrate the release of her latest album 'Wildfires'.

This album, 'Wildfires', is an extraordinary extended piece of work containing two hours of breathtakingly emotional songs interlaced with spoken word poetry.

CHRIS BROWN

Local singer-songwriter, Chris Brown, creates a mood of calm, blending his warm voice with lush acoustic guitar. Originally from Newcastle he sings story songs of the everyday and surreal, mixing folk and jazz elements with a keen ambient sensibility.

Ex of hazeyjane who released two acclaimed albums between 2016 and 2020 he now performs solo and occasionally with Ross Alexander II as hazeyjane II and he hopes to release a third album soon. He also formed part of the duo Lucy Brown.

Chris played a fantastic support set to Heidi and Boo last year and it’s no surprise that they have requested he do this once again on their return.

SUNDAY November 16 (2pm and 7pm)

BOO HEWERDINE & HEIDI with Friends (Headline)

Boo and Heidi will perform a headline set on the Sunday evening.

TAMSIN ELLIOTT

Tamsin is a multi-instrumentalist and composer with roots in the traditional dance tunes of the British Isles. Her debut solo album, FREY, established her as a rising star on the folk scene, with the Guardian praising her ‘beautiful, filmic compositions for accordion, harp, whistle and voice’.

A versatile composer-performer, Tamsin also contributes to chamber-folk quite Header and festival favourite Mediterranean fusion band, Solana. As a musician in residence at UHBW NHS Trust, she channels her musical passion into healing and connection, writing new music on lever harp and playing for patients on wards including the ICU.

JILL JACKSON

Scottish Americana artist Jill Jackson’s latest album, ‘Curse of the Damned,’ delves into her personal journey with neurodiversity, challenging misconceptions and breaking free from the challenges of her past.

In the heart of the UK’s bustling Americana scene, Jill Jackson has been steadily ascending, illuminating the landscape with her raw talent and honest storytelling. A name that has gained prominence, as not just a musician; she’s a force of nature, an artist whose music strikes a chord with the deepest emotions of listeners.

From her humble beginnings in Glasgow to gracing the stages of Top of The Pops, of T In The Park and touring with Bryan Adams with her then band Speedway, Jackson’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

MICHELE STODART

Michele Stodart is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, producer, musical director and multi-instrumentalist. She is best known as bassist, vocalist and co-songwriter of Mercury-nominated, double-platinum selling band, The Magic Numbers, who have released five critically acclaimed studio albums with top ten singles, and supported the likes of Neil Young, Radiohead, Brian Wilson, U2, The Who, Flaming Lips and Bright Eyes.

She continues to play with the band and tour world-wide, and they are set to release a new album next year.

•Master Of Ceremonies across the weekend will be the fabulous Anth Hodson-Curran.